surviving cancer

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Archive | January 2014

It’s been awhile since I posted in this blog. The good news is life is back to “normal” in the sense that I am not undergoing any treatment for cancer. I am feeling pretty much recovered from all the side effects. There’s still some aches and pains and sensations but at this point I honestly don’t know if it’s still from treatment or if it’s from aging, LOL. The joke among my “cancer friends” is that we can blame most any symptom we are feeling as a lingering side effect from chemo!

Here we are at the start of 2014. A new year. A clean slate. Another fresh start. It’s probably a blessing that we don’t know ahead of time what the year may bring. One thing I learned through this whole journey is not to worry about what may or may not happen but to take one day at a time and to enjoy life to its fullest. (Matt.6:27) Whatever comes my way, I am confident that God will give me the strength I need and will not leave me to walk alone. (Deut. 31:6) He has brought me through some very tough days. The road ahead may include some steep inclines, rough terrain, deep valleys, curvy and winding roads, an occasional bump in the road, and detours but my GPS (God Perspective System) will keep me focused knowing that He has my best interest in mind. We won’t always understand the course He has us on but we can be assured of where we’ll end up ultimately.

I enjoyed the bike the most for cardio…actually steered on the courses selected!

New Year’s is a popular time to make resolutions on changes we want to make in our life as we reflect on how we did the previous year. Some things are out of our control but many are not. We have a choice on how we’ll travel our journey through the year. Probably some of the most popular resolutions are health related…exercise, lose weight, eat healthier, get more rest, etc. Most of these are broken within a month and then people just give up completely. I wish more people looked internally to make changes…attitude adjustments and heart issues…than just externally.

My graduating class…12 weeks of sweat and tears.

I think the success of a resolution boils down to desire, motivation, discipline, and wisdom. You have to really want to reach a goal bad enough in order to do something about it. There has to be reason to reach it. You have to have an obtainable plan to get there and it has to be plan that if followed will indeed get you there.

As a child I enjoyed playing “store.” When I was teaching my own children, we used a play cash register and they learned how to make change. We would set up toys and other items and put price tags on them. They would “shop” and purchase items or be the cashier, but either way they had to learn how to count money and make change. It was a process and took time to learn.

Receiving my diploma and yellow rose at Livestrong graduation

doing the leg press

Do you really want to make change in some areas? Then do something about it. I know for myself that last year I set a goal to run in a 5K and to start getting myself back in shape physically after going through cancer treatment. I did run the 5 K in September and then I also signed up for the Livestrong program at the YMCA. It is a free 12 week program for cancer survivors that encompasses cardio, strength, and flexibility. It was a big commitment. I had never even been in a gym before. Not only did I learn a lot and get healthy and fit but I met a great group of people as well. Now at the start of the new year I am ready to take on the challenge of trying to maintain my fitness. I am still not sure whether I will join a gym or do it on my own at home but I am determined to follow through. I feel better than I have in a long time.

Whatever my journey this year encompasses, I am determined to go through it feeling my best, not only physically but emotionally and spiritually as well. “Exercise daily in God—no spiritual flabbiness, please! Workouts in the gymnasium are useful, but a disciplined life in God is far more so, making you fit both today and forever.” (1 Tim.4:8 MSG) Change is hard but if we stick with it and really want it, with God’s help we can achieve it. Here’s to the best in 2014.